Most parents would shy away from the world of horror when looking for something to watch with their kids during Halloween or on their family movie nights. However, there are a surprising number of spooky movies that are appropriate for young audiences.
So, for anybody looking for something more bone-chilling than the Frozen movies to watch with their young ones, the films on this list might just fit the bill. Children under seven might want to have an early night in bed, but, for any child who is older, these spooky offerings are perfect entry points into the horror genre.
Goosebumps
Young fans of RL Stine's series of novels will find much to enjoy in this 2015 movie. Featuring monsters that come straight from the pages of the author's works and from some of the more memorable Goosebumps episodes from the TV show, this is both spookily tense and hilariously funny.
Slappy the malevolent dummy, a legion of evil garden gnomes, and a Blob monster that eats everything, are just a few of the author's creations that are unleashed after young teenager Zach accidentally lets them loose. Jack Black, as the fictional alter ego of RL Stine, comes to the rescue, and, together, he, his daughter, along with protagonist Zach, attempt to save the town from the fantastical monsters that are running rampant.
Monster House
There are some animated films that are perfect for Halloween, and Monster House is one of them. Using the pioneering motion-capture animation that debuted in The Polar Express, this is a wonderfully told tale of friendship, small-town suburban life, and a house that is, quite literally, monstrous.
The film tells the tale of 12-year old DJ and his best friend Chowder who, along with their sassy chum Jenny, decides to investigate the imposing-looking house owned by mean-spirited old grouch, Mr. Nebbercracker. They quickly regret their decision, as they soon discover that the house is demonically possessed. It's a scary, funny, and exciting thrill ride of a movie.
The Monster Squad
This is rated PG-13, so it's not suitable for every child. But, for those of the right age, this 1987 film is a real hoot. With a gallery of ghoulish creations that come straight from the classic Universal monster films, this is a film that adult movie buffs and young teens should enjoy.
Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and The Creature From the Black Lagoon are all present and correct in this comedy-horror, and it's up to a young band of teens to save the world from these monstrous terrors. There are a ton of genre references for parents to spot and lots of scary scenes that end up being played for laughs. At one point, the Mummy gets his bandage caught, and it starts to unravel like a tattered old cardigan!
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Now, here's a film that many kids won't have seen before, and many adults may have passed it by too. It ranks among those other underrated fantasy films of the 80s that deserve to get more attention than they otherwise get. This fantastical tale of terror is based on the novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury, and it charts the adventures of two young boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, who encounter dark forces in their small town.
With its small midwestern town setting and nostalgic 1950s time period, the film begins innocently enough. But then a mysterious-looking carnival train rides into town, and, as Will and Jim soon discover, something wicked this way comes! The two boys come to the rescue in this slightly dated but still fun Disney spookfest.
Poltergeist
Not only is this one of the best horror movies of the 80s, but it's also a classic of the genre that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike! However, despite its PG-rating, this might be one film that is too scary for children under 10 to watch.
With toy clowns that come to life, child-snatching trees, and a possessed television set, there is enough here to scare anybody. But, as Steven Spielberg had a hand in making the film, there are more thrills than chills in this family-friendly horror movie. It's a fantastic film and is perfect for those parents who want to teach their children a lesson about the dangers of too much screen time—they might just get sucked into the TV!
Frankenweenie
Tim Burton's animated spookfest is made to resemble those black and white horror movies of yesteryear. Based on a half-hour short he created early on in his career, this is a modern-day update of the Frankenstein legend—only, this time, it is a boy's pet dog that has been lovingly brought back to life using stitched up body parts and spark plugs.
Despite the many Frankenstein references in the film and the slightly scary reincarnation of Sparky, this is more a moving family drama than a horror film. At its heart, it is about a boy's love for his dog, so, despite the odd chilling moment, children should enjoy rather than fear this curiously heart-warming movie.
ParaNorman
Here's another animated spookfest that every member of the family should enjoy. From the famed Laika Studios, this creepy movie focuses on Norman Babcock, an unusual little boy who has one very strange ability: he can talk to dead people!
There are no scenes of real horror here, although young kids will still be a little creeped out by the town's ghosts and neighborhood zombies. Adults will enjoy the film, too, especially if they're horror buffs, as there are lots of shoutouts to some classic films in the genre. The ring tone on Norman's cellphone riffs on the spine-tingling score from Halloween, for example.
The Witches
Parents have the choice of two adaptations of Roald Dahl's classic children's novel. Nicolas Roeg's 1990 movie may be the better of the two, but, as many kids will have seen that wonderfully grotesque film by now, it might be that this new release takes precedence.
This new adaptation is directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Anne Hathway as the Grand High Witch plotting to rid the world of children. She doesn't get away with her plans, of course, as she is thwarted by the three young children at the center of the film. The film is light on scares, but the special effects that bring Hathaway's witch to life might intimidate some of those children—and even adults—with a nervous disposition.
Coraline
From Henry Selick, the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, comes another Halloween treat that is guaranteed to chill younger audiences. The imagery is scary enough; young Coraline is drawn into a world where doppelgangers of her family have buttons for eyes, but it's the story that is the real nightmare fodder.
Young Coraline is a neglected child, with parents too busy to care for her needs. This is terrible enough, but it's when she learns that the copycats of her parents want to steal her eyes that the horrors truly begin. It's a frightening tale, but, as it's told in wonderful stop-motion animation, it shouldn't evoke too many nightmares.
The Hole
From director Joe Dante, the man behind those other family-friendly fright fests Gremlins and The Burbs, comes another movie that older kids are sure to enjoy. The film follows Dane and Lucas, two siblings who discover a mysterious trap door in their basement. After opening it, they discover a bottomless pit below, from which dwells a supernatural force that unleashes horrors manifested from their worst fears.
The film resembles Flatliners in its premise, but with jump-scare horrors that are strictly of the PG-13 kind. It's occasionally chilling, but, as it doesn't take itself too seriously, this is more likely to excite rather than scare younger audiences.